grass seed what to do?

[4390evans]

I was wondering if anyone has the best advice for grass seed

Ive got a 5kg bag coming off ebay (im not flush with money atm) Ive raised my beds on the lawn to make it bigger Ive took out weeds etc and rolled it over with the roller, but I have dry bits of soil on the lawn bits thats left off the dogs wee and I turned it over a few times but its still like cardboard and is never wet even when it rains. Im wondering whats the best way of laying the seed and what I should do with the tricky bits. Should I do anything before during or after

Any advice would be grand x

[alldigging]

Don't understand how if you have turned it over that some bits are still like cardboard.
Maybe turn it over again, and rake until you get a nice fine layer of soil.

[rustylady]

You say it's dry. Do you mean the soil, or the grass where the dog has weed?

If it's the soil then you need to water it.

[4390evans]

its the soil because Ive skimmed the grass off and turned that bit over but it still feels funny even after it rains it feels like card?

[4390evans]

do you recommend putting sand down before the seed?

[Glutton4...]

You need to rake the soil until it's a fine 'tilth' before seeding. Failing that sprinkle some sand over the patch, water it and seed it. I'd then pin some wire/plastic mesh over it (a little above the ground level) to stop animals from walking on it, and birds from eating the seed. After sowing, only water it if it starts to dry out, but don't flood it, or the seed will wash away before it germinates. In a week, you should start to see the new grass, but keep it covered until it's had a chance to put down a good root system, or your mower will lift it.

[WendyC]

its the soil because I've skimmed the grass off and turned that bit over but it still feels funny even after it rains it feels like card?

Is it full of old grass roots? Like a door mat? Could be couch grass roots which might be better out than in if you've the time or inclination. Depends whether you are after a bowling green or a green space.

[Snadger]

I would flood it until its well soaked. Let it dry for an hour and spread your seed. Use a grass rake to rake it in and then put a bit more on the top.Either leave it to germinate or cover it with a germination sheet. Debri netting would do as a germination sheet at a push.
Make sure that you remove the germination sheet as soon as it germinates.

Its one of those thing that if you ask a dozen groundsmen you will get a dozen different answers............all of which will be right!

[Two_Sheds]

and it's always better to lay or seed a new lawn in the autumn, UNLESS we get another cool damp summer like the last few

(cos May/June/July can be awful hot & dry, and you'll be up every evening watering your baby lawn)